Madrid Melee

Angel Casas / AFP / Getty

The beautiful game turned ugly in 2002 when Basque separatist group E.T.A. detonated a car bomb close to Madrid's main stadium, the Bernabau, hours before the start of Real Madrid's Champions League semi-final against arch rivals Barcelona. The bombing came shortly after the arrest of 11 Batasuna (a political party linked to E.T.A.) members, but it wasn't clear if it was directed against the team, which is supported by many of Spain's ruling elite. As it turned out, Madrid went on to win that season's competition. They continue to be a major force in soccer and E.T.A are still operating. Plus ça change.